Boom Boom Fwoot Toot Toot Ting Ting Ting Fwoot
Trumpets, drums, horns, xylophones and many more. A loud cacophony of noises echoed in the air as people cheered and shouted, everyone full of energy as the floats paraded in the streets, colorful and beautiful as one can be.
Each float was massive, decorated with flowers, gems, and all sorts of things. Atop them were dancers which danced to their hearts' content, wearing bright smiles on their faces as they moved about, their actions guided by the music drifting in the air.
"Mama! Papa! Look, there's a dragon!"
"Whoo! Let your hearts out everybody! Let's celebrate!"
"Hey, what sort of dancing is that? You look like a fish out of the water."
It was still early in the morning yet the city was already full of energy and happiness, lively as one can be as they danced on their own tunes, something holding the hands of others, dancing as a pair, circling around the place.
The children were especially excited, running around the place as if they owned it, laughing as they chased one another. They pointed here and there, trying to satisfy their curiosity as they watched such a grand and majestic festival unfold.
Well, there wasn't just dancing, contests and competitions were also unfolding all over the city, each district holding an event of their own, celebrating the Festival of Hearts in their own way, just as lively and cheerful as any other.
The day had finally come, and now, it was time for the Festival of Hearts. Though the whole city has been celebrating for more than a week already, the Festival Proper is only two days long, today and tomorrow.
Yet in those two days, Erdea becomes the liveliest city throughout the whole continent. With people gathering from all over the continent, Erdea's population has risen to an outstanding degree, crowds upon crowds of people filling up the streets and people enjoying their time as if there was no tomorrow.
"Grey! Hurry up! Let's explore the whole place!" ［Yuna］
"Yuna, you're too excited. No one's chasing us, you know?" ［Grey］
"I know, but...! I'm just so excited～!" ［Yuna］
Of course, with such a grand celebration, there was no way our main characters were missing out on the enjoyment. Yuna is now brimming with excitement, eyes sparkling beautifully like the stars in the cold and tranquil night sky.
And since there were only a handful of people who knew them, there was no need to wear hoods nor use illusion magic. They simply went around the place as they are, enjoying the beautiful sights without restricting themselves. Like free birds in the sky.
"Tsk! That idiot couple... Just where are they heading to now?" ［Julius］
"Elder Brother, clicking your tongue is bad manners. Please stop that." ［Iris］
"Boss! Lady Boss! Wait for me!" ［Garret］
It also went without saying that Grey and Yuna went around the festival with others. They already planned to spend the day tomorrow alone together, so for today, they decided to go around the festival and enjoy whatever it has to offer.
Surely enough, with every step they took, they were greeted by all sorts of novel and interesting sights from simple stalls all the way to magnificent street performances all over the place. There was no shortage of entertainment.
There were even stages set up all over the city simply so that people could dance around and have fun like it was the last day of their lives. They tapped, clapped, twisted, and turned. Some were beautiful, and some... Well, not so much...
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome Kalleo, the Firemaster～!!!"
And just as they turned about the street, they witnessed a man swallowing blazing fire with his bare mouth. There was no hesitation in his eyes, swallowing it whole. A loud round of applause echoing soon after.
"Ohh～! Grey, can you swallow fire too?!" ［Yuna］
"Yuna, don't try to kill off your fiancé now... Though, I'm also curious..." ［Grey］
"Right～? It shouldn't be a problem for us, right?" ［Yuna］
For some strange reason, seeing the man swallow fire made the two interested in it. With them being as tough and resilient as they are, it most likely wouldn't hurt them even a tiny bit. Still, they couldn't help but be a little bit curious.
Especially Yuna, she was a dangerous one. Now, she's even thinking of using a bit of alchemy to strengthen the flames and imbue them with some special properties. After all, an alchemist's thirst for knowledge can never be truly quenched.
"Julius, would you come here for a little bit. We just want to talk with you." ［Grey］
"Don't try to f*ck with me! I heard your conversation full well! Don't you dare try to test your experiments on me!" ［Julius］
"Come on now, it shouldn't hurt that much... probably..." ［Grey］
"Un! And we can always heal you if ever something does go wrong." ［Yuna］
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of! Hey! Don't you dare go near me! Get away from me, you damn lunatics!" ［Julius］
A loud scream echoed in the air, one full of fear and desperation. Though with how loud the place was, the prince's scream of help was barely noticeable. Fear crept inside his heart as Grey and Yuna drew closer to them.
After all, he already knew Grey and Yuna very well. He knows that if there ever was something they are curious about, they would surely try it no matter what. He quickly ran away with all his might, not wasting any more time to get away from the two.
"Aww... He ran away... Grey, you scared him." ［Yuna］
"Me? You were the one who had the scariest face, My Dear. You should have seen how terrifying your face was." ［Grey］
"It was...? I was just joking, you know? I would never hurt a friend." ［Yuna］
"Really now? Somehow, I doubt that." ［Grey］
Yuna was just a little but curious, nothing too serious. She wouldn't actually hurt a person just to satisfy her curiosity... Probably. Well, what matters is that no one was hurt today. The Festival of Hearts was still fine and merry.
And so, with Julius running away, there were only five of them left. Yet despite such a fact, they didn't feel even a little bit lonelier. The Festival of Hearts was simply too filled with cheerfulness, smiles and laughter floating about all over the place.
"Everyone, let's get going, shall we?" ［Grey］
Without further ado, everyone continued exploring the Festival with eyes filled with curiosity, excitement, and enthusiasm. They played all sorts of games and watched all sorts of shows, seeing quite the spectacle they have never seen before.
Of course, along with the beautiful sights, there were also ones which could only be described as, well... disturbing... They were simply straight up absurd and extreme, only a few people enjoying them, laughing as loudly as they could.
An example of this were the people dancing naked on the stage, wearing only flower heads as a costume and only a leaf covering their private parts. The way they danced was also like dying earthworms laced with salt. How truly disturbing.
"Ugh... They're at it again... Why do they do this every single time..." ［Garret］
"Yuna, Iris, Violet, close your eyes. You don't need to see this." ［Grey］
"Hm? Is something wrong, Elder Brother Grey? Elder Brother Garret?" ［Iris］
It couldn't even be called a performance. It was more of a strange exhibition only for those with strange tastes and drunkards who were laughing merrily. They were truly memories meant to be forgottenー no, purged.
With their sanity still intact, they quickly exited themselves and headed somewhere more pleasant, washing their eyes away with the beauty and delight from the other shows. The difference in performance was heaven and hell.
There were also a number of contests and competitions all over the place. There were beer-chugging contests, singing contests, games, pageants, and many more. The festivities never stopped as the sun climbed higher in the horizon.
"Everyone! Join now, and challenge our reigning champion for only 50 kiels! Do not miss this opportunity of a lifetime to engrave your name in our hall of fame!"
And as they went around the city, they came across a large contest. Not just any contest, it was an eating contest where they have to eat the most meat buns in only under 30 minutes. An event by the gluttonous, for the gluttonous.
They have yet to start, but there were already a couple dozen contestants lining up and searing themselves along the long tables. Each one was either big or muscular, a few slender ones in the pick, eyes blazing with passion.
"Oh? Isn't that...?" ［Yuna］
"Right... He did say he'll join this time's eating contest..." ［Garret］
And amongst the contestants, one was a familiar face who was seating himself ever so comfortably. It was none other than Marcus, the other members of the gang cheering on him complete with fans and banners. What true friends they were.
"Oh! Young Lord, we didn't expect to see you here." ［Lester］
"What's wrong with me being here? Marcus is also my friend so it's only natural that I stay and support him. Anyway, when are they starting?" ［Garret］
"Well, they're just finalizing the roster. They're probably going to start in a couple more minutes or so." ［Lester］
Like warriors heading to a battlefield, everyone's spirits were blazing high as they prepared themselves for the contest. Some were praying, some were stretching, some were meditating, and so on and so forth. All were determined to win.
Seeing such a fun competition. Grey and Yuna's interest were quickly interested in the thought of partaking. It was still halfway in the morning, lunch still a couple hours away. However, such a fact didn't matter. They simply wanted to join.
"Lester, is the registration still going on?" ［Yuna］
"Oh, Lady Boss! Good morning! And yes, it should still be. Do you want to participate as well?" ［Lester］
"Fufufu! That's the plan～!" ［Yuna］
There was no time to waste. With bright smiles on their faces, Grey and Yuna took out a bronze coin from their pockets and registered themselves for the contest, the organizer of the event accepting them with a bright smile and open arms.
They were soon guided to their seats, and as they registered at the same time, they were seated beside one another. Everyone's eyes were quickly on them. Especially on Yuna. People cannot simply comprehend why such a slim and slender young lady participated in the contest.
Soon enough, the meat buns were brought out one after another, an appetizing smell wafting through the air as they were placed atop the table. At that very moment, the contestants' determination only burned ablaze even brighter.
"Then, without further ado! Let the battle begin～!"
With the host's signal, the contestants didn't further waste any more time. They quickly wolfed down the hot and steamy meat buns before them, munching them one after another at speeds no normal person could ever compare.
Everyone was fighting with their lives on the lines, taking large bites and revealing the juicy and meaty insides of the buns. They were all delicious, but that didn't matter at the moment. Everyone was dead set on winning the eating contest.
"Mmn～! So good～!" ［Yuna］
Well, almost everyone... Unlike the others, the young couple who just joined were simply enjoying themselves, savoring the taste of the buns without much care in the world. They ate and ate, bright smiles blooming on their faces.
After all, such buns would usually cost a couple kiels, and considering the amount they could easily finish within half an hour, 50 kiels was but a cheap price to pay. There was no way they'd let go of such a rare and wonderful opportunity.
"Yuna, don't talk when your mouth is full. Look, you're even making a mess of yourself. Something's on your cheeks." ［Grey］
"Can you wipe it off? Please～!" ［Yuna］
"Haah... You really are hopeless..." ［Grey］
They even have the audacity to flirt out in the open, acting as if they were dining in a fine restaurant on their lovely date. Such a display of affection only served to irritate and flabbergast the other contestants, some even crying from loneliness.
Though, that was only half of the story. While they were flirting, the speeds at which their hands moved wasn't any less than the others, moving as fast as lightning and finishing one meat bun after another without much effort or difficulty.
"As expected of Elder Brother Grey and Elder Sister Yuna. This eating contest was truly made for them." ［Iris］
"How many do you think they'll finish at this rate, Iris?" ［Violet］
"I don't know,,. However, it should be a couple dozen at the very least." ［Iris］
Having dined with them for about a month already, everyone already knew what Grey and Yuna were capable of. Still, seeing them in action was a completely different thing. They could only watch in surprise as they watched the scene unfold.
"Go Boss! Go Lady Boss! Go Marcus! You can do it!" ［Garret］
"Go Marcus! Show them what you've got!" ［Leater］
"Marcus, don't you dare lose now!" ［John］
"Boss! Do your best! Don't let Marcus best you!" ［Olsen］
On the other side, the gang was doing their best cheering on everyone, and so was the whole crowd. As the competition went on, the cheers only got louder, more and more people gathering to witness the outcome of the competition.
And with the passing of time, contestants dropped out one after another. Though they did their best, eating more than a dozen buns each, their best was still not enough. The others were still much better, continuing on despite all the obstacles before them.
"Ugh... I can't... continue.., anymore..." ［Marcus］
"Nooo!! Marcus!!" ［Lester］
It wasn't long before Marcus dropped out, still about ten minutes before the contest ended. And with him out of the competition, only six people remained in the contest, doing their best against each other, munching more and more meat buns.
Six people became five, then five became four, and finally, four became three. Those three were none other than the reigning champion, Grey, and Yuna. One was almost reaching his limits while the other two were simply enjoying themselves.
RIIINNNNGGGGGGG RING RING
"Time is upppp!!"
The thirty minutes finally elapsed and the eating contest finally came to a close. All three remaining contestants lasted until the end, and the staff quickly tallied down the number of the meat buns they ate, suspense looming over in the air.
Before long, the tally was finally completed. The very moment the host looked at the results, his eyes widened in shock and disbelief. It was then that everyone quickly understood that something interesting was about to unfold.
"The results are already in... And coming in at a total of 64 whole buns, we have the birth of a new champion! Mister Grey has won the eating contest!"
The host's bold announcement reverberating throughout the air, squeals of shock and surprise rang soon after. Soon, a loud round of cheers and applause echoed towards the sky soon after. It was a loud and chaotic clamor.
As for the others' scores, the Champion came in third with 56 meat buns, and Yuna came second at 62 meat buns. It was only a small two bun difference, but such a small difference was what decided Grey's victory.
Soon, Grey was given a trophy and also a purchase coupon for the store, allowing him to buy a thousand kiels' worth of food. At the same time, Yuna won a smaller, 300 kiels purchase coupon. A welcome surprise.
"Uuu... I was so close as well..." ［Yuna］
"Now, now, don't be too sad, Yuna. I'll make sure to cook you lots of food once we get back." ［Grey］
"Mou,,, you always say that. That won't always work, you know..." ［Yuna］
Yuna was a little sulky about her loss, and so, Grey tried to appease her like usual. However, as it seems, such a tactic didn't seem to work this time. Rather, Yuna only sulked even more, puffing her cheeks to show her dissatisfaction.
"Then, whatever should I be doing, My Dearest Princess?" ［Grey］
"That's... I want to ride the carnival attractions with you..." ［Yuna］
Meekly said Yuna, her cheeks blushing a rosy tint as her voice slowly died down. They were already planning on doing so, so there was really no need to request it. Still, hearing Yuna's request, Grey couldn't help but feel happy, on cloud nine.
"Haven't you already experienced most of the attractions there though?" ［Grey］
"Un, that's true, but... I haven't experienced them with you..." ［Yuna］
Another work and another strike to the heart. Grey meant to tease his dear fiancée, but instead, he was the one who took damage from how adorable she was. Both their hearts race rapidly at the moment, a little bit embarrassed.
It was fortunate that they were still out in the open, otherwise, Grey wouldn't have been able to hold herself back from how adorable Yuna was. He could only hold back his desires, simply patting Yuna's head to relieve himself of some of the tension.
"Then, everyone, shall we head towards... Huh? Where's Garret?" ［Grey］
"Older Brother was dragged away by everyone. They said they're going to go around and play games over the western district." ［Violet］
"I see... That's unfortunate..." ［Grey］
Grey had wondered why it became quiet all of a sudden but it was soon answered by Violet. With Garret out of the picture, there are only four of them left. It was a shame but there was nothing they could do about it.
"Then, everyone, who wants to go to the carnival?" ［Grey］
"""Me～!"""
It was a unanimous decision. With no one objecting against their plan, everyone soon headed towards the carnival. And unlike before when it was just the girls, the way there had become even more crowded, the streets bustling as loud as can be,
The moment they arrived, a plethora of attractions greeted them coming in all shapes, colors, and sizes. From small rocker horses all the way to massive roller coasters, stands standing here and there. There was anything and everything one could wish for.
Strangely enough, even when Merusia's civilization could be considered "Medieval", there are many things present which are too advanced for their time, and such were magic tools and devices. All were possible thanks to mana.
Funnily enough, despite how "advanced" Merusia was, if one were to compare it to Earth's technological progress after inventing electricity, Merusia's pace was like a snail's, slowly advancing even after thousands of years with mana alongside them. Truly a mysterious world in more ways than one.
"Grey, what are you spacing off for? Let's go!" ［Yuna］
Grabbed by the hand, Yuna quickly led Grey around the place, showing off a ton of the attractions they have tried before. She babbled on like an excited child, eyes gleaming cheerfully as she smiled at Grey.
"There's also a merry-go-round by the rightー Ah! The Ferris Wheel! Let's ride the Ferris Wheel, everyone!" ［Yuna］
She marched to the beat of her own drum, pointing here and there eagerly as one can be. Excitement which only bloomed ever brighter the moment she saw the Ferris Wheel, asking everyone to ride it before anything else.
"The Ferris Wheel... Is everyone alright with that?" ［Grey］
"No problem here." ［Iris］
"Same here～!" ［Violet］
There was no objection from everyone, and so, they quickly lined up after the Ferris Wheel. They bought their tickets, and lined up once more. Soon enough, it was their turn, riding in a car with all four of them.
The car's doors soon closed and the whole wheel started to move, slowly but surely. The higher they went, the wider the sight they saw, seeing most of the city at the very top of the wheel, feasting their eyes on a mystical and bustling sight.
"Waah～! There are so many people everywhere... And they look so small from up here as well..." ［Iris］
"It looks so beautiful, doesn't it?... Ah! Older Brother Grey, can I borrow the camera for a short moment?" ［Violet］
"No problem. Take as long as you want." ［Grey］
The young ladies were very excited as they moved up and down the Ferris Wheel, and when Grey lent them the camera, their excitement went up even more, taking photos of the Festival from every angle they took.
They were like excited children who just got their hands on a new toy. Seeing them act like that, one wouldn't think they were a princess and a noble lady. Such a sight only served to make Yuna giggle to herself.
"Fufufu! I knew it... Things really are more fun with you, Grey." ［Yuna］
A sneak attack out of nowhere, catching Grey off guard. With a sweet smile on her face and the sunlight accentuating her beauty, her gentle words made Grey's heart skip a beat, his face feeling slightly feverish.
Of course, Grey didn't just stay still. Without wasting much time, he also launched his counter attack, holding Yuna's hand and gripping tightly. He then raised it near to his lips and pressed it to the back of her hands, kissing her gently.
"I love you." ［Grey］
His words were barely audible, but Yuna could hear it loud and clear. Grey's sudden yet destructive strike made her heart race ever so wildly, face turning her in just a quick second. Grey's teasing was simply too much.
Thankfully, the young ladies were still looking out of the window, their little moment a secret for themselves to keep. The moment the young ladies turned around, all they saw was a beet red Yuna, the lovebirds already a short distance apart.
"Elder Sister Yuna, is something wrong? Your face looks red..." ［Iris］
"Older Sister Yuna, do you have a fever?!" ［Violet］
"A-Ah, really...? It's probably just because I'm just so happy. It's just so fun with everyone! Fufufu!" ［Yuna］
"Elder Sister Yuna..." ［Iris］ "Older Sister Yuna..." ［Violet］
The young ladies were far too innocent. Yuna simply made a little excuse, and now, they are clinging closely to her. Now, Grey was the one who was chuckling to himself, once again thinking how adorable his fiancé was.
And so, the fun continues...
CHAPTER 286 END